U.S. patent application number 15/202886 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for safe backup system for vehicles.
The applicant listed for this patent is ElevationTV LLC. Invention is credited to Eric Diaz.
Application Number | 20170028902 15/202886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57884984 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170028902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diaz; Eric |
February 2, 2017 |
SAFE BACKUP SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES
Abstract
A vehicle safety device and system are disclosed. The device
comprises an image projecting device and a vehicle communication
device adapted to receive commands for the image projecting device.
The image projecting device is adapted to project visible safety
information.
Inventors: |
Diaz; Eric; (Peabody,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ElevationTV LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57884984 |
Appl. No.: |
15/202886 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62199086 |
Jul 30, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60Q 1/22 20130101; B60Q
1/525 20130101; B60Q 2400/50 20130101; B60Q 1/0035 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 1/00 20060101
B60Q001/00 |
Claims
1. A vehicle safety device, comprising: an image projecting device;
and a vehicle communication device adapted to receive commands for
the image projecting device; wherein the image projecting device is
adapted to project visible safety information.
2. The vehicle safety device of claim 1, wherein the image
projecting device is an LED.
3. The vehicle safety device of claim 1, further comprising a
computer coupled to the image projecting device, wherein the
computer stores a plurality of projectable images and directs which
of the plurality of projectable images the image projecting device
is to project.
4. The vehicle safety device of claim 3, wherein the projectable
images are at least one of words, icons, graphics, pictures,
symbols, and combinations thereof.
5. The vehicle safety device of claim 3, wherein a choice of the
plurality of projectable images is obtained through the vehicle
communication device.
6. The vehicle safety device of claim 1, wherein the vehicle
communication device is adapted to communicate with a vehicle's
onboard computer, a portable personal communication device, or to
receive signals from mechanical changes in the vehicle.
7. The vehicle safety device of claim 1, wherein the vehicle safety
device alerts people in the vicinity of a vehicle that the vehicle
is in reverse.
8. The vehicle safety device of claim 7, wherein the vehicle safety
device is adapted to be mounted on a rear bumper of a vehicle.
9. The vehicle safety device of claim 7, wherein the vehicle safety
device is adapted to projects the visible information onto a ground
surface behind a vehicle.
10. The vehicle safety device of claim 7, wherein the vehicle
safety device is adapted to be coupled to the vehicle's reverse
indicators and activates when the reverse indicators activate.
11. The vehicle safety device of claim 1, wherein the projected
visible information is surrounded by a beam of light.
12. The vehicle safety device of claim 11, wherein the beam of
light projects at least 45.degree. vertically and 90.degree.
horizontally from the image projecting device.
13. The vehicle safety device of claim 1, wherein the device is
controlled by a remote computer application.
14. A vehicle safety system, comprising: an image projecting
device; a mount coupling the image projecting device to a vehicle;
and a vehicle communication device adapted to facilitate
communication between the image projecting device and the vehicle;
wherein the image projecting device is adapted to project visible
information from the vehicle.
15. The vehicle safety system of claim 14, wherein the image
projecting device is an LED.
16. The vehicle safety system of claim 14, further comprising a
computer coupled to the image projecting device, wherein the
computer stores a plurality of projectable images and directs which
of the plurality of projectable images the image projecting device
is to project.
17. The vehicle safety system of claim 16, wherein the projectable
images are at least one of words, icons, graphics, pictures,
symbols, and combinations thereof.
18. The vehicle safety system of claim 16, wherein a choice of the
plurality of projectable images is obtained through the vehicle
communication device.
19. The vehicle safety system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle
communication device is adapted to communicate with the vehicle's
onboard computer, a portable personal communication device, or to
receive signals from mechanical changes in the vehicle.
20. The vehicle safety system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle
safety device alerts people in the vicinity of the vehicle that the
vehicle is in reverse.
21. The vehicle safety system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle
safety device is mounted on a rear bumper of the vehicle.
22. The vehicle safety system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle
safety device projects the visible information onto a ground
surface behind the vehicle.
23. The vehicle safety system of claim 20, wherein the vehicle
safety device is coupled to the vehicle's reverse indicators and
activates when the reverse indicators activate.
24. The vehicle safety system of claim 14, wherein the visible
information is surrounded by a beam of light.
25. The vehicle safety system of claim 24, wherein the beam of
light projects at least 45.degree. vertically and 90.degree.
horizontally from the image projecting device.
26. The vehicle safety system of claim 14, wherein the vehicle
safety device is controlled by a remote computer application.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/199,086 filed Jul. 30, 2015 and entitled "Safe
Backup System for Vehicles", the entirety of which is specifically
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention is related to vehicular safety features. In
particular, this invention is directed to lighting systems in
vehicles designed to indicate directionality to third-party drivers
and observers.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] In the field of vehicular safety, most vehicles contain a
mechanism for indicating they are reversing their car, usually in
the form of a white light linked to their taillights. Some vehicles
also make a noise to indicate reversing. The current convention on
reversing safety is a camera or several cameras attached to a
vehicle that provide a 3-dimensional snapshot or video of the
environment surrounding the vehicle. The driver can view this image
or video via a viewer mounted or otherwise installed in the
vehicle, and can therefore reverse in a more efficient and safer
manner. This camera alleviates blind spots for the driver, and
helps the driver minimize rearward collisions.
[0006] According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, back up collisions caused 34% of U.S. non-traffic
fatalities of children under the age of 15 from the years
2006-2010. From 2001-2003, approximately 7,475 children under the
age of 15 were treated for automobile back-over incidents. About
300 fatalities per year result from backup collisions.
[0007] Backup cameras aid drivers in avoiding these collisions, but
they do not alert third-party drivers of the driver's intended
direction. Tail lights are not an adequate alert, as they are only
viewed by the third-party driver or pedestrian within 10-20 feet of
the oncoming vehicle, and they do not project light around
potentially view-blocking obstacles, such as parked cars and trees.
Furthermore, these white lights are difficult to see during the
daytime, and are therefore less effective at preventing collision
from the perspective of other drivers.
[0008] Backup sensors, which alert a driver to their vehicle's
position in relation to surrounding objects, are also effective in
the prevention of backup accidents. However, they also have the
setback of only alerting an individual to the position of their own
car, without giving other drivers, pedestrians and others in the
vicinity of the vehicle an alert of the car's position.
[0009] Therefore, there is a need for a system that alerts third
party drivers and pedestrians to the movement of a car.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention overcomes the problems and
disadvantages associated with current strategies and designs and
provides new systems and devices for alerting third-parties to a
vehicles movements.
[0011] One embodiment of the invention is directed to a vehicle
safety device. The device comprises an image projecting device and
a vehicle communication device adapted to receive commands for the
image projecting device. The image projecting device is adapted to
project visible safety information.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the image projecting device is an
LED. The vehicle safety device preferably further comprises a
computer coupled to the image projecting device, wherein the
computer stores a plurality of projectable images and directs which
of the plurality of projectable images the image projecting device
is to project. The projectable images are preferably at least one
of words, icons, graphics, pictures, symbols, and combinations
thereof. A choice of the plurality of projectable images is
preferably obtained through the vehicle communication device.
[0013] Preferably, the vehicle communication device is adapted to
communicate with a vehicle's onboard computer, a portable personal
communication device, or to receive signals from mechanical changes
in the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle safety device alerts people
in the vicinity of a vehicle that the vehicle is in reverse. The
vehicle safety device is preferably adapted to be mounted on a rear
bumper of a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle safety
device is adapted to projects the visible information onto a ground
surface behind a vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle safety device is
adapted to be coupled to the vehicle's reverse indicators and
activates when the reverse indicators activate. Preferably, the
projected visible information is surrounded by a beam of light. In
a preferred embodiment, the beam of light projects at least
45.degree. vertically and 90.degree. horizontally from the image
projecting device. Preferably, the device is controlled by a remote
computer application.
[0014] Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a vehicle
safety system. The system comprises an image projecting device, a
mount coupling the image projecting device to a vehicle, and a
vehicle communication device adapted to facilitate communication
between the image projecting device and the vehicle. The image
projecting device is adapted to project visible information from
the vehicle.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the image projecting device is an
LED. Preferably, the system further comprises a computer coupled to
the image projecting device, wherein the computer stores a
plurality of projectable images and directs which of the plurality
of projectable images the image projecting device is to project.
Preferably, the projectable images are at least one of words,
icons, graphics, pictures, symbols, and combinations thereof.
Preferably, a choice of the plurality of projectable images is
obtained through the vehicle communication device.
[0016] The vehicle communication device is preferably adapted to
communicate with the vehicle's onboard computer, a portable
personal communication device, or to receive signals from
mechanical changes in the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle safety
device alerts people in the vicinity of the vehicle that the
vehicle is in reverse. Preferably, the vehicle safety device is
mounted on a rear bumper of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment,
the vehicle safety device projects the visible information onto a
ground surface behind the vehicle. The vehicle safety device is
preferably coupled to the vehicle's reverse indicators and
activates when the reverse indicators activate. Preferably, the
visible information is surrounded by a beam of light. Preferably,
the beam of light projects at least 45.degree. vertically and
90.degree. horizontally from the image projecting device.
Preferably, the image projecting device is controlled by a remote
computer application.
[0017] Other embodiments and advantages of the invention are set
forth in part in the description, which follows, and in part, may
be obvious from this description, or may be learned from the
practice of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] The invention is described in greater detail by way of
example only and with reference to the attached drawing, in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1A depicts a birds-eye view of a vehicle with the
device attached to the rear.
[0020] FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of a vehicle with the
device attached to the rear.
[0021] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic of an embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] As embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosures
herein provide detailed embodiments of the invention. However, the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that
may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, there
is no intent that specific structural and functional details should
be limiting, but rather the intention is that they provide a basis
for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one
skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention
[0023] A problem in the art capable of being solved by the
embodiments of the present invention is preventing vehicle
backing-up accidents. It has been surprisingly discovered that
back-up safety equipment such as sensors and video cameras do not
wholly prevent back-up accidents. It has also been surprisingly
discovered that no device exists to visually alert third-party
drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and others in the vicinity of the
vehicle to the intended reversal.
[0024] The present invention overcomes the problems and
disadvantages associated with current strategies and designs for
reversing-safety equipment in vehicles. FIGS. 1A-B depict an
embodiment of the present invention. Device 100 can be attached to
a vehicle 105 to provide a visual alert system to drivers,
pedestrians and other people in the vicinity of vehicle 105.
Vehicle 105 can be a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, plane,
helicopter, boat, ATV, RV, bus, train, trolley, or another
transportation device. The device 100 projects a visual cue 115,
which can be a in the form of a projected display 110 that can be
projected behind the vehicle onto a medium such as the pavement,
road, sidewalk, driveway or other path a vehicle is reversing into.
The projected display 110 can also be projected at an angle so that
the space or any objects behind the vehicle are illuminated, and
the word can also be projected onto said space or objects. In the
preferred embodiment, device 100 projects visual cue 115 at a
90.degree. arc, a 135.degree. arc, or a 180.degree. arc behind
vehicle 105. The light and the words are preferably large and
bright enough for someone with average visual acuity and even
impaired visual acuity to detect. This light and/or lettering can
preferably be seen or read from a distance of 10 feet, 30 feet, 50
feet, or 100 feet.
[0025] FIG. 1B displays an example of a perspective view of device
100 projecting visual cue 115 and projected display 110.
Preferably, device 100 projects vertically simultaneously as
horizontally, thereby projecting a cone of visual cue 115. The cone
of projection may be angled toward the ground 120 or
perpendicularly to the ground 120. Preferably, the cone of
projection is adjusted to optimize the readability of the projected
display 110. While the visual cue 115 is preferably projected in a
cone shape, the projected display 110 is preferably directed toward
the ground 120 within the visual cue 115 such that visual cue 115
illuminates both the ground 120 and an area behind vehicle 105
(e.g. the wall 125 as shown in FIG. 1B). Device 100 may be
positioned such that projected display 110 appears at a specified
distance behind vehicle 105. For example, projected display may
appear 1 foot behind vehicle 105, 5 feet behind vehicle 105, 10
feet behind vehicle 105, or at another distance. Device 100 may
also be useful in backing into parking spots since as vehicle 105
approaches a barrier at the end of a parking spot, projected
display 110 will slowly inch up the barrier. Once the driver of
vehicle 105 is able to see projected display 110 in the rear view
mirror, the driver will know to stop.
[0026] The projected display 110 preferably is one or more words,
images, symbols, or other indications. The projected display 110
indicates to third-party drivers and observers that the vehicle is
about to reverse. An embodiment of the invention includes
projecting a word or set of words onto the ground and space behind
and around a car. Other drivers or pedestrians in the area can view
these words and be made aware of the reversing car. Examples of the
projected word or words can include but are not limited to "BACKING
UP" or "REVERSING." These words can be formed by manipulating the
housing of device 100 through which light is projected. For
example, by etching, paining, engraving, shading, light blocking,
applying a sticker, or otherwise altering the lens. The words can
also be formed by a computer system or a laser system. If the words
are formed using a computer system, the driver will preferably have
a choice of different words to project from a predetermined set.
The device may also be able to project shapes, symbols and images.
The projected display 110 can also be projected by configuring a
series of light bulbs into the shape of projected display 110.
[0027] For example, device 100 may be in communication with an
application (app) running on a remote cellphone, tablet, or other
computer. The app may be able to receive information from device
100. For example, the app may receive GPS information, battery
level information, light bulb information, tamper detection
information, temperature information, and other information about
device 100. Additionally, the app may be able to send information
to device 100. For example, the device may be able to control the
message device 100 outputs, the colors of the message, the timing
of the message, if the message blinks, control any audible alerts
associated with the message, and disable the device. Furthermore,
in embodiments used by law enforcement, device 100 maybe integrated
into the vehicles emergency alert system or have features unique to
emergency vehicles. For example, device 100 may output a siren that
mimics the vehicle's siren.
[0028] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic of device 100. Preferably, device
100 can project in one or more colors, including but not limited to
orange, red, green, blue, white, yellow, and combinations thereof.
The projected color is preferably neon. Preferably, the colors will
be visible in both the daytime and at night. The visual cue 115 and
projected display 110 is preferably provided by a lighting system
230. Lighting system 230 is preferably comprised of one or more
high powered LED light bulbs. For example, the light bulbs can be
High-power LEDs (HPLEDs), High-output LED (HO-LEDs) or other LEDs
capable of producing between 90 and 1500 Lumens. However, lighting
system 230 may employ incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, florescent
bulbs, lasers, or other light emitting devices. Lighting system 230
may be powered by battery 235. Battery 235 is preferably a Lithium
Ion rechargeable battery or another type of battery that may be
charged by the vehicle, preferably via an auxiliary harness.
Alternatively, the battery may serve as a backup power source and
lighting system 230 may be coupled to the vehicle's electrical
system. Lighting system 230 may project through a lens 240. Lens
240 can be concave, convex, or flat. Preferably, lens 240 is
plastic, however lens 240 can be glass, crystal, or another
material. Lens 240 is preferably a half-moon shaped device to allow
for a spread of 180 degrees of light on a horizontal surface and 90
degrees of light on a vertical surface. Lighting system 230 may
additionally have one or more mirrors 245. Mirrors 245 may be used
to focus the light emitted by lighting system 230.
[0029] Preferably, device 100 is controlled by computer 250.
Computer 250 is preferably an integrated circuit (i.e. a system on
a chip (SoC)). The SoC integrates multiple components of a computer
or other electronic system into a single chip. It may contain
digital, analog, mixed-signal, and radio-frequency functions all on
a single chip substrate. The SoC preferably incorporates a central
processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a
system bus that couples various system components including the
system memory, dynamic random access memory (RAM) and flash memory,
to the SoC. The system bus may be one of several types of bus
structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a
peripheral bus, or a local bus using one of a variety of bus
architectures. A basic input/output (BIOS) stored in flash memory
or the like, may provide the basic routine that helps to transfer
information between elements within device 100, such as during
start-up. The drives and the associated computer readable media
provide nonvolatile storage of computer readable instructions, data
structures, program modules and other data for device 100. The
basic components are known to those of skill in the art and
appropriate variations are contemplated.
[0030] Although the exemplary environment described herein employs
flash memory, it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that
other types of computer readable media which can store data that
are accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, hard
drives, digital versatile disks, cartridges, random access memories
(RAMs), read only memory (ROM), a cable or wireless signal
containing a bit stream and the like, may also be used in the
exemplary operating environment.
[0031] For clarity of explanation, the illustrative system
embodiments are presented as comprising individual functional
blocks. The functions these blocks represent may be provided
through the use of either shared or dedicated hardware, including,
but not limited to, hardware capable of executing software. For
example, the functions of one or more processors presented in FIG.
2 may be provided by a single shared processor or multiple
processors. (Use of the term "processor" should not be construed to
refer exclusively to hardware capable of executing software.)
Illustrative embodiments may comprise microprocessor and/or digital
signal processor (DSP) hardware, read-only memory (ROM) for storing
software performing the operations discussed below, and random
access memory (RAM) for storing results. Very large scale
integration (VLSI) hardware embodiments, as well as custom VLSI
circuitry in combination with a general purpose DSP circuit, may
also be provided.
[0032] Device 100 may be adapted to project a single projected
display 110 or multiple projected displays 110. In the embodiment
where device 100 can project multiple projected displays 110,
computer 250 may store the various options for projection and the
vehicle's driver may be able to choose amongst the options. In
another embodiment, the driver may be able to enter their own
projected display 110. Interfacing with device 100 may be though
hardware wired to the car, the car's internal computer system, an
application on the driver's smart phone, or through another device.
The driver may be able to have device 100 indicate an emergency.
For example, the driver may be able to have device 100 blink or
project an "EMERGENCY" or "HELP" projected display 110.
[0033] Preferably, device 100 is directly wired to the vehicle's
control system. For, example, device 100 can be connected to the
vehicle's reverse lights such that when the car is put into
reverse, device 100 is activated as the reverse lights are
activated. Another embodiment, device 100 is coupled to the
gearshift of the vehicle. For example, device 100 can be wired,
attached, or otherwise linked to the "reverse" gear position of the
gearshift. This attachment will preferably enable the driver of a
vehicle to turn the lighting system on and off by shifting in and
out of reverse. In another embodiment, device 100 can also be
wired, attached or linked to other features of the car, such as
turn signaling, braking and other directional indicators within a
vehicle.
[0034] Device 100 may further include a networking device 255.
Networking device 255 is able to connect to, for example, the
Internet, one or more Local Area Networks ("LANs"), one or more
Metropolitan Area Networks ("MANs"), one or more Wide Area Networks
("WANs"), one or more Intranets, etc. Preferably networking device
255 is a Bluetooth device, other networking devices can be used.
Networking device 255 may be capable of connecting to wireless
Bluetooth devices (e.g. a keyboard or a mouse). The communication
with the vehicle may also be wireless, such as through a Bluetooth
system which can allow a computer within the car to interact
wirelessly with the lighting system to turn it on and off or to
switch its settings.
[0035] Device 100 is preferably attached to the rear of a vehicle,
more preferably to the bumper of a vehicle. Device 100 can be
connected above, below, or through a hole in the bumper. The
invention can be attached with industrial double-sided tape,
screws, bolts, welding, an integrated connector, hook and loop
fasteners, or another fastening device. Device 100 may
alternatively be coupled to another part of the vehicle. For
example, the side mirrors, the under carriage, the trunk, or
elsewhere on the vehicle. The device may also have a harness to
connect to the auxiliary input of a vehicle, such as a trailer
hitch light. Multiple devices 100 can be coupled to the car to
project different information.
[0036] In another embodiment, device 100 include a speaker system
that creates an auditory cue that coincides with the projection of
the lighting system. The sounds is preferably an electronic
recording or creation of the word that is being projected that the
car omits. These electronically "spoken" words can include but are
not limited to "backing up", "caution", "reverse" or any
combination of these. The sound system can also be programmed to
make a noise, such as beeping, music or another auditory cue to
signal to pedestrians or others in the vicinity of the car of its
direction.
[0037] Other embodiments and uses of the invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
and practice of the invention disclosed herein. All references
cited herein, including all publications, U.S. and foreign patents
and patent applications, are specifically and entirely incorporated
by reference. It is intended that the specification and examples be
considered exemplary only with the true scope and spirit of the
invention indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, the term
"comprising of" includes the terms "consisting of" and "consisting
essentially of."
* * * * *